There was a story in the news today about a truck driver injured in an Ottawa County van semi-truck trailer roll-over accident on January 19th in Polkton Township. According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, a 63-year-old truck driver attempting to pull his truck into a driveway near 80th Avenue, near Cleveland Street, exited the truck to assess the situation when a minivan, with a 62-year-old driver and 62-year-old passenger, alleged collided with the rear of the trailer causing the trailer to roll onto the truck driver. The truck driver was extricated from underneath the trailer and taken to a local hospital for treatment of his serious injuries. The driver and passenger of the minivan were also taken to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Police are still investigating this accident.

I’m very sorry to hear about this accident. I wish a speedy and full recovery to the truck driver and minivan passenger and hope they suffer no permanent harm.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

I read story in the paper today about five people injured in a semi-truck accident in Franklin Township last week. According to the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department, the semi, driven by Joseph Petroski, was southbound on M-52 and turned left onto US-12 in front of a Ford Escort, driven by Jason Wood and having four passengers, which struck the semi.

Four of  the passengers in the car as well as the driver of the semi were taken to Herrick Medical Center to be treated for serious injuries from the crash. The Sheriff’s Department also states that the semi-truck driver was issued a ticket for failing to yield. Police are still investigating this accident.

I am very sorry to hear about this accident and wish all of  the injured parties a speedy and full recovery. I hope that no one has any permanent deficits from this accident.

Our Michigan truck accident lawyers advise accident victims of their legal rights. For this type of auto accident in Michigan, the injured passengers can submit a claim for Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits.  No-Fault benefits will cover their medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the accident.  The injured parties can claim these benefits even if they did not have a Michigan automobile insurance policy.

In addition, the injury victims may be able to file a lawsuit against the persons determined to be at fault in the auto accident as well as the company that owns the semi-truck. The insurance company for the driver must still cover any injuries. In this lawsuit, the injured parties can claim damages and compensation for injuries suffered in the accident.  The insurance company for the negligent driver typically pays a settlement for this type of case.

An experienced Michigan car accident lawyer can assist the victim with this type of claim.  Accident victims should not speak with the insurance adjuster for the negligent driver before consulting with an attorney.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan truck accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan truck accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan truck accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Our Michigan truck accident lawyers often represent victims of truck accidents that involve semi-trucks.  Due to the size and weight of these trucks, it is necessary that the truck drivers are highly trained and fit to operate the vehicle on the roadway.  The injuries from this accidents are often very serious and even catastrophic.

Semi-trucks have large blind spots at the front, back and sides of the truck. When a car is in the blind spot, the driver cannot see it.  If the truck tries to make a right or left turn, it would likely cause serious damage to  any automobiles in its path.

There are many other dangers of Semi-Trucks.  These include:

Squeeze Play - Semi Trucks need to swing wide to the left in order to negotiate a right turn. When truck drivers make wide right turns; they are often unable to see smaller vehicles directly behind or beside them. When a car cuts between the truck and a curb, the car can be caught in a squeeze, and a serious accident can occur.

Stopping Distance - Big rig trucks need a greater stopping distance than other cars and other vehicles. If there is not enough stopping distance between an automobile and a large truck, the car risks being involved in a rear-end collision.

“Off-track” - Occurs when a truck turns at high speed and swings into an adjacent lane unexpectedly. Unlike passenger vehicles, transport trucks require up to 40 percent more space to stop. Following too closely results in inadequate stopping distance between large trucks which then rear-end vehicles in front. It is not difficult to imagine the devastating results that occur when a car, van or SUV is hit from behind with over 10,000 lbs. of moving metal.

The most common causes of Semi Truck accidents are:

Driver Fatigue-sleepy or tired driver; driving too long and too many hours without rest.

Inadequate driver training

Overloaded trucks and improperly loaded trucks

Poorly maintained truck brakes

Speeding

Running off the road

Failure to yield the right of way

Aggressive driving behavior

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Reckless driving

Defective safety systems, reflectors, lights and other warning devices

Victims of Michigan semi-truck accidents do have legal rights to recover for their injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages.  For more information on these rights, request our Michigan car accident book which has been called “the best book ever written for Michigan consumers involved in car accidents.”

You can also call us at (800) 606-1717 to speak with one of our experienced Michigan truck accident lawyers.  We do not charge any legal fees unless we obtain a recovery or settlement for you.

Michigan Truck Accident Facts

Our Michigan truck accident lawyers represent victims of truck accidents throughout the entire State of Michigan.  Statistics show that truck accidents in Michigan are becoming even more common.  This is terrible news for motorists on Michigan roads and highways.

A review of statistics for Michigan truck accidents is disburbing.  In Michigan alone, trucks are involved in more than 13,000 accidents per year.  Trucks account for over 25% of all fatal accidents in Michigan. 

In 95% of truck accidents,  there was either property damage, personal injury, or death.  Based upon their sheer size and weight alone, a motorist, motorcyclist, or pedestrian has little chance of avoiding serious injury when involved in a truck accident.  The results are often catastrophic.

When a driver, pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist is hit by a truck, Michigan No Fault benefits are available to the accident victim.  No Fault benefits pay for medical expenses, lost wages, household replacement services, attendant care, and other benefits regardless of fault in the accident.   Medical benefits are unlimited and last a lifetime.

In addition, when an accident victim’s injuries are severe, the victim may have a legal claim against the truck driver if the truck driver is at fault in causing the accident.  The best way to determine what claims an injured person has is to consult with an experienced Michigan truck accident lawyer.  The lawyers at our firm have represented truck accident victims in cases involving serious injury and wrongful death and have obtained great settlements for our clients.

Contact Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers

For more information about Michigan truck accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com   If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan truck accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717.